Who is MoldQuest?MoldQuest International™ is a full service indoor air quality firm dedicated entirely to conducting IAQ/mold investigations.

What are your credentials?Members of our staff have undergone extensive training, including formal instruction by the American Indoor Air Quality Council (AmIAQC). All members of our senior staff possess 4-year hard science degrees in fields related to IAQ.

All of our investigators are required to be accredited in industry-developed certifications. All MoldQuest team members are required to actively participate in our continuing education program to insure that we stay on the cutting edge of the IAQ field.

What are your primary services?Indoor air quality investigations and consulting.

Mold investigations - for residential, commercial and public buildings. Basic Investigations are designed for straight-forward real estate transactions and for localized "areas of concern". Comprehensive investigations require greater resources and yield more information.

Radon Testing - For residential, commercial and public structures. Radon causes over 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year in the United States. Testing is easy and inexpensive. HUD has recently recommended that all FHA loan properties be tested for radon.

What are your fees?Our professional fees for most IAQ investigations are project specific. Generally, there is a hourly fee and a set fee per sample. Residential transactions typically cost between $400 to $1,200. Comprehensive investigations start at $2,000.

Radon testing (a 48 hour test using a continuous radon monitor) costs $110. Our monitors incorporate tamper detection systems and have been approved by the EPA for use in property transactions.

How long does it take to complete an investigation?Basic IAQ Investigations are usually completed in less than one week. Full residential investigations are completed in less than three weeks; post remediation evaluation results are usually available in two to five days. Commercial and public facilities vary in duration.

Radon tests are generally completed within 48 hours and results are available immediately at the job site.

Do you offer free consultation?YES! We will work with you on the telephone or in person to answer your questions and to develop the best possible course of action.

What is involved in conducting a Basic Investigation?We will perform an interview with person(s) knowledgeable about the property, complete a comprehensive visual inspection, collect moisture measurements from suspect locations and then develop a sampling strategy. Samples are collected to yield the most valuable information. The entire investigation typically takes 3 to 4 hours.

What is involved in conducting a post remediation evaluation?Once a remediation contractor has completed their work, we arrive on the project to make sure the area is suitable for re-occupancy. We put emphasis on our visual inspection. We check to see if the remediated space is clean, absent of debris, absent of mold and properly cleaned. We evaluate the equipment used and construction/operation of the containment. We will collect air samples from within the containment area, an adjacent area and the outdoor air. Once the laboratory data is available, we determine the success of the remediation based on industry practices and current guidelines.

Do you offer "prevention plans"?The IAQ industry has switched from reactive to proactive. MoldQuest provides moisture prevention & response plans to owners and property management firms of commercial property. Having such a plan is often a prerequisite for securing commercial mold insurance.

Are there any regulations regarding mold contamination?Yes there are. Several states have regulations currently in use, and several other states are busy writing their own laws. Since these regulations tend to change from year to year, we suggest you consult with representatives from your own state.

Are all molds toxic?The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency states that all molds have the potential to cause adverse health effects. The term "toxic" is often used haphazardly and the various stakeholders seem to have a difficult time agreeing on what is "toxic" and what is not. There are currently no PELs (permissable exposure limits) or TLVs (threshhold limit values) for microbial contamination, so it is important that you consult with an IAQ professional if you suspect a problem in your home or office.

Should I vacate the premises during remediation?This really depends on the extent of remediation and where it occurs in the workplace or home (kitchen and bathroom access being the most likely deciding factors.) Sometimes, it's just more convenient to be away during remediation.

Should I be concerned about mold when purchasing a home or leasing space?Real estate is a major investment. Safeguarding one's health is relatively inexpensive. We believe it is prudent to evaluate for mold contamination before purchasing or leasing real estate.

What are the common health symptoms of mold exposure?The most common symptoms are similar to allergic and asthmatic reactions. These include shortness of breath, wheezing, headaches, memory loss, malaise, eye irritation and skin rash.

Medical practitioners are beginning to better recognize patient symptoms with mold exposure. If you have a concern, we suggest consulting with a knowledgeable physician.

I am a renter and my landlord refuses to address my concerns about possible mold contamination. What can I do?Unfortunately, there isn't a lot you can do. If the landlord/owner refuses to respond to your request, you may be forced into legal action. Each state has laws regarding landlord/tenant rights and responsibilities. Consult an attorney in your area for more information.

I think I have a mold problem in my home. What should I do?The health of your family is your first concern. For adverse health symptoms, you should consult with a physician familiar with mold exposures.

Since mold requires moisture to grow, correct all moisture related problems such as leaks and water intrusions form the outdoors. If the problem is very small, you may be able to clean or replace the affected area yourself. For larger problems, consult with a mold professional.

Most remediation contractors are honest businessmen, but every industry has its “opportunists” – individuals who have no moral or ethical scruples when it comes to padding their profits. For some, their primary concern is getting your repair bill up as high as possible.

Remodeling jobs that involve mold remediation can cost up to 3 to 5 times more than similar jobs which don’t involve mold.

We believe that companies who BOTH inspect and remediate (remove) mold have a serious conflict of interest. One that could hurt you where it counts, your WALLET.

With insurance companies limiting the amount they will pay for mold related repairs, most of the remediation costs could come out of YOUR pocket!

With thousands of your dollars at risk, it's in your best interest to have your inspection done by someone who doesn't profit from the remediation work.

If you suspect you have a mold problem, hire a responsible inspection company that is not in the remediation business.